Commission waives $400 CE audit penalty for out‑of‑state appraiser in hardship case

The Connecticut Real Estate Appraisal Commission waived a $400 civil penalty and directed department staff to refund the payment for Cleveland‑based appraiser Eve Moss after a compliance hearing about a late continuing-education course.

Moss, a certified general appraiser who said she has “been a licensed, certified general appraiser, for almost 30 years now,” told the commission that family health issues delayed her reinstatement paperwork and that she took the required 3‑hour Connecticut appraisal law course soon after learning it was missing. She testified that her elderly mother had cancer and that the late completion was an oversight during a difficult family period.

Department staff explained the process: the audit flagged the late course, staff issued a $400 invoice, and the licensee paid. The commission heard that Moss had no prior disciplinary history and had completed the required CE for the 2022–24 cycle except for the law course, which she completed shortly after notification. After discussion about precedent and ASC guidance, commissioners voted to waive the civil penalty and to direct the business office to refund the payment; staff confirmed that with the fine waived there will be no report to the Appraisal Subcommittee’s national registry.

Why it matters: A waiver removes a disciplinary record that would be reported to the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC). Commissioners said prior hardship cases had been handled on an individual basis and that the department can refund payments when a waiver is granted.

Outcome and next steps: The commission directed staff to notify the business office to refund the $400 payment. No adverse report will be filed with the ASC because the commission removed the discipline. The department will retain the audit record and update the licensee’s file to reflect the commission’s decision.